Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1942 Reference No: 130 Movement No: 862'869 Case No: 628'516 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal 13-130, 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: gilt pin buckle Dimensions: 33mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1942 with black dial and tacymeter scale, and its subsequent sale on September 26, 1942
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s reference 130 is most definitely one of the firm’s most known and appreciated vintage chronograph models. First released in 1934, the watch was in production until 1964 with its case deriving from the Bauhaus-designed reference 96.
Being in production for nearly 30 years the reference 130 was produced in yellow and pink gold, as well as in stainless steel with a number of dial variations.
The present example first appeared on the market in 1989 with a black dial but with incorrect short signature and without tachometer scale and reappeared on the auction market in 2013 with the present correct dial featuring long Patek Philippe & Co (as the watch was produced in 1942) signature and tachometer scale, as confirmed by the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives. The latter is very well preserved incredible to look at with its galvanic gilt signature and deep black glossy surface .
In overall very appealing condition with a strong crisp hallmark on the case the present combination of black glossy dial and yellow gold case is extremely rare and only 15 examples are known.
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.